Linksys E4200

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Contents

Hardware Specifications

Image:e4200.jpg


CPU Broadcom BCM4718
CPU Speed 480 MHz
Flash ROM 16 MB
Macronix MX25L12845E
RAM 64 MB
Radios 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
WLAN Support a/b/g/n
WLAN Max Speed 300mbps (2.4 GHz) & 450mbps (5 GHz)
Antenna Location Internal (x6)
Bands 3 x 3
Radio wl0 Broadcom 4718 (SoC)
Radio wl1 Broadcom 4331 Intensi-fi Single-Chip 802.11n Transceiver
Switch 4x GigE + 1 WAN
Broadcom 53115
IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab
USB 1x USB 2.0

Flashing

These instructions are for E4200 version 1 ONLY! Version 2 has a marvel chipset and is NOT supported

Warnings

  • The E4200 uses nv60k builds, do NOT flash nv64k nor generic builds.
  • To upgrade stock firmware to DD-WRT, use the Flashing procedure below. Only use trailed builds (with E4200 in the file name) to avoid bricking.
  • AFTER initial flash, only use trailed OR nv60k builds - NOT nv64k nor generic builds.
  • K3X is recommended once you are running dd-wrt - only use a trailed build to flash from K26 to K3X
    • Newer K3X builds may not have a nv60k.bin build, in this case use the trailed build for upgrades
    • Recovery from firmware with the wrong nvram size requires use of a JTAG cable to erase the nvram.1
  • The E4200 works very well with most newer builds >28XXX, see Beta downloads
    • Read model-specific and New Build threads before flashing different firmware
  • The E4200 dissipates a good deal of heat at the stock 100 mW transmit power
    • Ensure adequate cooling or reduce transmit power to 40-50 mW.

Flashing Process

Perform these steps for initial DD-WRT flash from the stock Linksys GUI:

  1. Read all required reading sections of the peacock announcement.
  2. Disconnect any Ethernet cables from router and PC, and disable PC wireless.
  3. Do a Hard reset or 30/30/30 of the router.
  4. Connect Ethernet cable from a LAN port (not the Internet port) of the router to PC doing the flash.
  5. Wait for router to boot up, and then for PC to get DHCP address from the router.
  6. Open router GUI (192.168.1.1) in Web browser on PC.
  7. Flash an E4200-specific mini build; e.g., 21676 trailed initial flash build for E4200
    • Do NOT use a build with "nv60k" in the name for the initial flash; use only the trialed build linked just above.
    • 21676 is a stable, reliable, recommended build for the E4200, but only use the mini version, since larger versions have the dangerous Heartbleed vulnerability. If you need more functionality than mini, upgrade to Kong 22000++:
  8. Wait for flashing process to complete, then wait 3 more minutes.
  9. Perform a Hard reset or 30/30/30 after the device has successfully updated.
  10. Wait for router to boot up, then log into DD-WRT Web interface (192.168.1.1).
    • You may have to clear your browser cache before the Web login will display.

Upgrading Process

  • If you need to upgrade to a build other then mini or a newer release take note of the following.
  • AFTER installing DD-WRT, ONLY flash nv60k (or trailed builds as noted in the above section)

WARNING: Flashing anything else to the router will brick it as noted above

  1. Select the build of your choosing from the beta downloads, K3X is recommended.
  2. Follow the same flashing procedure as you used for the initial flash

Reverting back to stock firmware

  • You can always revert back to stock firmware.
  • Download the latest E4200 firmware from linksys site.
  1. Disconnect all cables and wireless clients.
  2. Perform a 30/30/30 reset on the device.
  3. Login and select the stock firmware file and flash, make sure to select "reset to defaults" on the drop down menu when flashing.
  4. Wait approximately 5 minutes for the flashing process to complete.
  5. Perform a 30/30/30 after the device has successfully updated.

Wireless-N Configuration

  • As is explained in Wireless-N Configuration make sure that you use AES with WPA2 security for your wireless N network. Do not use TKIP or the wireless speed will revert to the g standard and that would be a pity. (AES+TKIP is also allowed but not recommended.)
  • It is recommended to set:
    • 2.4 GHz radio to "NG-Mixed".
    • 5 GHz radio to "NA-Mixed".
  • Both 2.4 and 5 GHz Radios run at a stock transmitting power of 100mW. Decreasing the transmitting power to a value between 40 & 50mW may help stability, especially if the router has poor cooling.

References

  1. e4200 build thread at dd-wrt forum
  2. FCC disclosures